Is Jens Berthel Askou the long-term answer for Celtic?
Charlie Mulgrew certainly thinks so.
Until now, Martin O’Neill has insisted that he wouldn’t take the permanent job this summer, but it certainly can’t be ruled out yet.
After all, his results speak for themselves when compared to those under Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy this season.
Mulgrew acknowledges this, but his stance on Askou couldn’t be more clear.
I want the next manager of Celtic to be…
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Charlie Mulgrew tips Jens Berthel Askou for Celtic
There wasn’t much noise when Askou was appointed by Motherwell last summer after the sudden departure of Michael Wimmer.
But there certainly is now, with the Steelmen widely being praised as the best footballing team in the country. They currently sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership, with two games in hand on fifth-placed Hibernian.
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Askou has particularly impressed against Celtic, playing Wilfried Nancy’s side off the park in their meeting at Fir Park in December.
For Mulgrew, speaking on The Breakdown, he would be the pick in the event that O’Neill doesn’t stay.
He said: “It’s the perfect set-up. That’s why I would give him the Celtic job.
“If Martin O’Neill’s not getting offered it, I would give the Motherwell manager it. I would go for him.
“I think, with a budget of Celtic’s, let him spend a few quid. Playing style, I think he would do really well. I think it would be brilliant to see.
“Imagine Celtic in Europe playing that style. It would be brilliant to see.
“[The defensive record] is the impressive bit for me. Because we’ve said on here before: teams that spread out and play expansive have always been like, ‘Oh, we’ll concede’.
“The clean sheet record, we’ve discussed it before, they know exactly what their jobs [are].”
It’s been quite the story, but for now, it remains a short one. Askou had previously managed in Sweden, Denmark and the Faroe Islands.
Would you take Jens Berthel Askou in the event that Martin O’Neill leaves Celtic in the summer?
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Will Martin O’Neill stay at Celtic beyond this season?
Before Celtic worry about deciding on their permanent manager, Celtic need to address their football structure after it was decimated this season.
Paul Tisdale’s role as Head of Football Operations was akin to a Director of Football role, which now lies vacant.
Michael Nicholson continues to face calls to resign from the Celtic Fans Collective, but despite the departure of chairman Peter Lawwell, this doesn’t look to be on the horizon.
Whoever it is making the decision in the summer will find it difficult to look beyond O’Neill if he can lead the Celts to the Scottish Premiership title.
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